Michael Portillo Slams Starmer’s Ukraine Plan and Calls Trump “Worst Dealmaker” Ever

The Prime Minister has urged Vladimir Putin to accept Donald Trump’s proposed ceasefire in Ukraine, but former Defence Secretary Michael Portillo isn’t buying into the peace plan. Speaking on GB News’s Camilla Tominey Show, Portillo ripped into Keir Starmer’s vision of a “coalition of the willing,” calling it unrealistic and potentially misleading.

“Keir Starmer has had a marvelous press recently; people say he’s doing brilliantly in foreign affairs,” Portillo remarked. “I think this coalition of the willing is a complete fantasy, and it’s getting to the stage where it’s really risking being quite dishonest.”

His main issue? European nations simply don’t have the military strength to make a real impact in Ukraine. “We don’t have the capacity to send forces in who could make a serious difference,” he explained, pointing out that the proposed European contribution—about 10,000 troops from 29 nations—is almost laughable when Ukraine already has a million troops fighting on the front lines.

“It’s kind of insulting,” he added, questioning whether the initiative was more about boosting European leaders’ public image rather than offering genuine military support.

Portillo also poured cold water on the idea that the US would step in with meaningful backing. “It is a fantasy to believe that the Americans are going to provide a back-up, air support, and so on,” he argued, warning that expecting significant US military intervention was wishful thinking.

His harshest words were reserved for Donald Trump’s handling of the crisis, branding him “the worst dealmaker in the world.” According to Portillo, Trump has weakened Ukraine’s position rather than pressuring Russia into a resolution.

“He cut off the communications to the Ukrainians. He stopped the flow of arms. He said that the Ukrainians were more difficult to deal with than the Russians,” Portillo explained, suggesting that Trump’s stance has only emboldened Moscow.

“As the Ukrainians began to lose on the battlefield… the Russians became more self-confident,” he added, painting a grim picture of Ukraine’s prospects despite ongoing peace initiatives.

In his closing remarks, Portillo didn’t mince words about Trump’s influence on the negotiations: “Trump is just not laying down the law with Putin at all, so I think it’s been a wretched negotiation.” With Starmer’s coalition idea facing skepticism and Trump’s negotiations under fire, Ukraine’s path to peace seems as uncertain as ever.